In the expansive universe of Magic: The Gathering, certain legendary creatures have left an indelible mark on gameplay and lore alike. One such figure is Omnath Locus of Eternity—an elemental force from the Zendikar Rising set that draws power from each of the five colors of magic. This guide provides a detailed breakdown of Omnath, covering its lore, strategic role across game formats, and deck-building potential. Whether you’re an experienced Magic player or new to the game, this comprehensive guide to Omnath Locus of Eternity offers valuable insights and practical strategies.
Introduction to Omnath Locus of Eternity
Omnath Locus of Eternity isn’t just another card in Magic: The Gathering; it’s an elemental force embodying all five colors of mana—white, blue, black, red, and green. As the fourth incarnation in the Omnath series, Omnath Locus of Eternity has cemented itself as an impactful card, beloved for its versatility and landfall triggers that keep players on their toes.
Overview of Omnath Locus of Eternity
Appearing in the Zendikar Rising set, Omnath Locus of Eternity symbolizes the relentless elemental power of Zendikar, a world renowned for its volatile and mana-rich landscape. It’s a creature of tremendous influence within the Magic multiverse, known for its ability to draw on the raw forces of nature. Omnath’s inclusion in a deck introduces opportunities for landfall triggers, token generation, life gain, and direct damage, providing players with a potent and multifaceted tool.
Importance in Magic: The Gathering
Omnath’s unique ability to harness all five colors of mana allows it to execute diverse abilities, making it a staple in both casual and competitive formats. By drawing from each mana color, Omnath can dominate the battlefield, embodying an intense level of synergy and challenging players to build around its strengths. Its versatility, alongside the thematic weight of Zendikar’s raw energy, makes Omnath Locus of Eternity a card that has left a deep imprint on Magic: The Gathering.
Card Details of Omnath Locus of Eternity
Omnath’s success lies in a combination of mana requirements, card attributes, and powerful abilities that keep it at the center of attention in many deck archetypes.
Mana Cost and Color Identity
Mana Cost: {1}{W}{U}{B}{R}{G}
Color Identity: White, Blue, Black, Red, Green
Omnath’s five-color mana requirement can be demanding, necessitating careful deck-building to ensure consistent access to all necessary colors. However, this steep investment is rewarded with one of the game’s most unique and powerful creatures.
Card Type and Attributes
Card Type: Legendary Creature — Elemental
Power/Toughness: 4/4
As a legendary creature, Omnath’s power comes with restrictions—it can only have one copy on the battlefield at any given time. With a base power and toughness of 4/4, Omnath brings respectable strength to combat, but its true power lies in its elemental abilities.
Abilities and Effects
Omnath Locus of Eternity is equipped with multiple abilities that make it a formidable card:
- Landfall: Whenever a land enters the battlefield under your control, Omnath triggers various effects based on the number of different colors of mana used to cast it.
- Elemental Token Generation: Omnath can create Elemental creature tokens that add extra pressure to the battlefield.
- Life Gain and Damage: Omnath’s abilities allow for life gain and direct damage, balancing offense and defense as it triggers.
Lore and Background of Omnath Locus of Eternity
Origin and Mythology
Omnath’s journey began as a raw, elemental force tied to the land of Zendikar, each iteration adding to its power and influence. In Zendikar’s mythology, Omnath represents the primal energy of nature, and it embodies the harmony and chaos of elemental forces. Its presence on Zendikar brings shifts in the land, with creatures and environments responding to its powerful aura.
Role in the Multiverse
Beyond its role on Zendikar, Omnath is one of the most enigmatic and revered beings in the Magic multiverse. Its connection to elemental energy situates it at the center of Zendikar’s ongoing struggles between balance and chaos, making Omnath a pivotal player in Zendikar’s lore.
Gameplay Impact of Omnath Locus of Eternity
Omnath’s potential varies across Magic formats, from Standard to Commander, each presenting unique opportunities for its gameplay impact.
Standard Format
In Standard, Omnath Locus of Eternity’s influence has been felt heavily due to its ability to generate value from landfall triggers. With its capability to gain life and deal damage, Omnath often finds a home in decks that blend aggression and control, maximizing the value of each land played to dominate the board.
Commander Format
As a five-color commander, Omnath shines in Commander decks. Its ability to leverage all five colors of mana allows for a dynamic, high-value strategy that adapts well to both aggressive and control-based playstyles. In Commander, decks featuring Omnath tend to prioritize landfall and mana ramp, creating a consistent, powerful synergy that makes Omnath a formidable commander.
Other Formats
Omnath sees play in formats like Modern and Pioneer, where decks that can capitalize on mana ramp and board control can utilize Omnath’s abilities effectively. Though less common in these formats, Omnath can be devastating when paired with the right strategy.
Deck-Building Strategies for Omnath Locus of Eternity
Omnath Locus of Eternity is a deck-builder’s dream, opening avenues for complex synergies and strategic innovations. Below are some effective strategies for building around Omnath.
Best Synergies
- Landfall Triggers: Cards like Scute Swarm and Lotus Cobra thrive with Omnath’s landfall abilities, triggering extra effects and adding to Omnath’s power.
- Mana Ramp: Ramp cards like Cultivate and Kodama’s Reach ensure you’ll have the mana to cast Omnath reliably, allowing for faster access to its game-changing abilities.
- Elemental Support: Cards such as Elemental Bond enhance Omnath’s effectiveness, adding value to its Elemental token generation.
Popular Deck Archetypes
- Five-Color Control: A slow, control-heavy deck, Five-Color Control leverages Omnath’s abilities to gradually gain an advantage.
- Ramp Decks: Focused on mana ramp, these decks play Omnath as quickly as possible, using landfall effects to generate value.
- Elemental Aggro: With fast-paced Elemental creatures, Elemental Aggro decks use Omnath’s synergy to flood the battlefield with tokens and aggressive creatures.
Sample Deck Lists
Five-Color Omnath Control
Animals: Lotus Cobra, Scute Swarm, and Omnath Locus of Eternity
Spells: Cultivate, Kodama’s Reach, Supreme Verdict
Lands: Five-color lands, dual lands, fetch lands
Elemental Ramp
Monsters: Cragsmasher, Firecarver’s Blade, and Omnath Locus of Eternity
Spells: Elemental Bond, Hour of Promise, and Rampant Growth
Lands: Basic lands and land-fetching spells
Tips for Playing Omnath Locus of Eternity
Strategic Considerations
- Timing: Casting Omnath with access to all colors maximizes its potential.
- Landfall Triggers: Play lands strategically to trigger Omnath’s abilities effectively.
- Card Advantage: Use cards that provide additional land drops or draw effects to maintain a steady game pace.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mana Fixing Neglect: Ensure consistent access to all five colors.
- Overcommitting: Keep a backup plan in case of board wipes or removal.
Countering Omnath Locus of Eternity
As powerful as Omnath is, it’s not invincible. Here are strategies for countering Omnath:
Effective Strategies
- Mana Denial: Cards that destroy or disrupt lands, such as Blood Moon, limit Omnath’s ability to generate its colors.
- Board Wipes: Omnath and its tokens are susceptible to board wipes, particularly in decks that rely on a full battlefield.
Cards and Decks that Counter Omnath
- Path to Exile: A cheap, efficient removal option.
- Mono-Red Aggro: A fast-paced deck that doesn’t give Omnath players time to set up.
Omnath in Competitive Play
Tournament Performance
Omnath Locus of Eternity has become a staple in tournament play, particularly in formats like Standard and Commander. Its versatility and game-breaking abilities make it a threat, forcing players to adapt their decks accordingly.
Meta Analysis
In a competitive setting, Omnath-based decks are often viewed as a high-value threat. Their ability to generate massive value from landfall triggers necessitates thorough counter-strategies, making Omnath a major player in the metagame.
Conclusion
Omnath Locus of Eternity has become a powerful and versatile card, loved by players for its synergy potential and ability to capitalize on the landfall mechanic. Whether you’re building a five-color control deck, ramping up with Elementals, or leveraging Omnath’s unique abilities to dominate the battlefield, this legendary creature offers endless possibilities for strategy and innovation. With its place firmly established in Magic lore and gameplay, Omnath is more than just a card—it’s a legacy that continues to shape the landscape of Magic: The Gathering.